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Parent
- Student Handbook
2005 -
2008
Parents’
Prayer
Most loving
Father, the example of Parenthood, you have entrusted our children to
us to bring them up for you and prepare them for everlasting life.
Assist us with your grace, that we may fulfill this sacred duty with
competence and love. Teach us when to reprove, when to praise, and
when to be silent. Make us gentle and considerate, yet firm and watchful.
Keep us from the weakness of indulgence and the excess of severity.
Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children when we
must do necessary things, which are displeasing in their eyes. Give
us the imagination to enter their world in order to understand and guide
them. Grant us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example
in the ways of wisdom and piety. One day, with them, may we enter into
the joys of our true and lasting home with You in heaven.
Amen.
Introduction
St. Francis School opened in 1928 and was staffed by the Sisters of
Mercy. At that time, Metuchen was part of the Trenton Diocese. In
1981 the Trenton Diocese was divided in half and thus the Metuchen Diocese
was formed making the Borough of Metuchen the See of the new Diocese.
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi became known as the Cathedral of
St. Francis of Assisi, and its school is called St. Francis Cathedral
School. The Sisters of Mercy administered the school until June 2001.
At that time the leadership was put in the hands of a lay principal.
This Handbook exists to foster the efficient operation of St. Francis
Cathedral School. To meet this objective, the School administration
is given flexibility and the ability to exercise discretion. In appropriate
circumstances, the principal has the discretion to take actions other
than those specified in the Handbook. This Handbook is not intended
and should not be considered to create any additional rights for students
or parents/guardians.
Mission
Statement
St.
Francis Cathedral School creates a Catholic atmosphere where
children are challenged
to develop respect, justice, and responsibility
while growing intellectually
and spiritually into leaders of the 21st
Century.
School
Motto
Respect,
Justice Responsibility
School
Colors
Red, White,
Black
Philosophy
St. Francis
Cathedral School is steeped in the traditions of service, peace, and
courage. It shares the common mission of all Catholic schools, namely,
to teach, to proclaim the message of Jesus, to build Christian community,
to worship God, and to serve one another and the world. Our school
supports and enhances the family’s role as the primary educators of
their children.
We engage
students from varied cultural backgrounds in a developmental curriculum
promoting spiritual growth, academic excellence, and social responsibility.
The school identifies its wider community as faculty and staff, students,
families, parish, interested outside individuals and groups, neighborhood,
and alumni. Within this dynamic, the young learner develops as a whole
child, grounded in God’s love. The graduate leaves St. Francis Cathedral
School prepared to shape his or her life in a pattern of excellence,
morality, service, and commitment.
I.
GENERAL SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM POLICIES
A. Admissions
Non-discrimination
Policy
St.
Francis Cathedral School admits students of any race, color, national
and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities
generally accorded or made available to students at the School. St.
Francis Cathedral School does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational
policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic
and other school-administered programs.
Inclusion
Policy
As educators in a
Catholic School we view each child entrusted to us as a unique, beloved
child of God. We are called to create an environment where every child
is provided with whatever he or she needs to learn.
Inclusion at St.
Francis Cathedral School refers to the incorporation and supporting
of students in the classroom who have learning disabilities or difficulty
in learning. This means using any available service plan, communicating
with parents, and participating in Child Study Team meetings whenever
possible. We are called to support the professional recommendations
of learning consultants and to encourage students to participate in
the services to which they are entitled regardless of any inconvenience
this may cause us.
Registration
St.
Francis Cathedral School gives preference to:
• Registered
parishioners of St. Francis Cathedral Church who currently
have siblings in the school.
• Registered
parishioners of St. Francis Cathedral Church who currently
have no siblings in the school.
• Catholic
students registered in parishes other than St. Francis
Cathedral Church and who currently have siblings in the
school.
• Catholic
students registered in parishes other than St. Francis
Cathedral Church but who currently have no siblings in
the school.
• Non-Catholic
students.
A
yearly fee per student is required at the time of registration. This
Registration Fee is refundable only if the student is not accepted.
The
following requirements are necessary to be accepted into the school:
• Six
years old on or before October 1st to enter First Grade
• Five
years old on or before October 1st to enter Kindergarten
• Four
years old on or before October 1st to enter Pre-K 4
• Three
years old on or before October 1st to enter Pre-K 3
• Baptismal
Certificate
• Birth
Certificate
• Health/Immunization
Records
• Registration
Fee
All
new students are required to have a complete physical before starting
St. Francis Cathedral School. Students coming from out of state or
an area of high incidence rate within the state must have a Mantoux
Test within six months of starting school. The State of New Jersey
designates these areas.
In
order to plan for the following year, every family in the school will
be required during the month of March to reregister their children for
the next school year. The registration fee per child should accompany
the registration form. All registration forms must be completed and
returned to the School Office in order for the student to be on a class
list.
Immunizations
St.
Francis Cathedral School abides by all of the Immunization Policies
set by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
• DPT:
a minimum of four doses, provided that at least one dose
is given on or after the fourth birthday.
• OPV:
a minimum of three doses, provided that at least one dose
is given on or after the fourth birthday.
• Measles
vaccine: two doses administered on or after the first birthday;
children who were immunized before the first birthday
are to be re-immunized.
• Rubella
vaccine: administered on or after the first birthday; children
who were immunized before the first birthday are to be
re-immunized.
• Mumps
vaccine: one dose administered on or after the first birthday;
children who were immunized before the first birthday
are to be re-immunized.
• Hepatitis
B: three doses required for Kindergarten/Grade 1 and
Grade 6.
An
applicant whose immunization record is incomplete will not be admitted.
No requests for religious exemptions will be considered.
Transfer
Students
In
addition to all of the above items, a transfer notification, a most
recent report card, and standardized test scores are to be submitted
upon application. No transfers will be accepted during the final year
before graduation except in special circumstances.
Tuition
Policy
Yearly tuition rates
and registration fees are determined by February. Parents/guardians
are given three options for tuition payment:
Option 1 – Single
payment ($50 discount),
Option 2 – Two payment plan
Option 3 – Monthly payment plan through F.A.C.T.S. which requires
an AUTOMATIC TUITION PAYMENT AGREEMENT FORM.
The school reserves
the right to cancel the registration of any student whose family fails
to satisfactorily meet tuition payments during the preceding semester/or
in such cases to require full tuition payment in advance of registration
acceptance.
Financial Obligation
All financial obligations
must be met by May 20th in order for students to participate
in graduation exercises and/or field trips.
B.
Attendance
Prompt,
regular attendance is absolutely essential to academic success. The
parent/guardian is expected to foster these good habits in the student,
both for the benefit of the student’s current academic achievement and
to encourage mature adult behavior in the future.
Absence
A parent/guardian
must call the school at 732-548-3162 no later than 9:00 a.m. to report a student’s absence. If no call has been received by 9:00
a.m., the School Nurse will
make a reasonable effort to reach a parent/guardian by phone to verify
the legitimacy of the absence. These procedures represent a mutual
effort to account for the presence of the student during school hours.
When the student
returns to school, she/he must present to the teacher a written excuse from a parent/guardian
stating the student’s name together with the dates and reason for the
absence. An absence of five consecutive days requires a doctor’s note.
Students who receive an excused absence prior to their being absent,
for example to visit another school, will be marked absent.
Trips and vacations
during the school year are strongly discouraged. Students are responsible
for all the work that was missed during her/his absence.
Arrival/Departure
In
order to provide a safe environment for the children and to eliminate
traffic jams, please follow the procedure below.
Arrival
Drop-off
time begins at 7:40 a.m. If you must drop your child off earlier
than 7:40 a.m., please contact Mrs. Marilou Rizzo, Before-Care
and After-Care Director, at 732-548-3107, to make arrangements for supervision
of your child/children. Before-Care begins at 7:00 a.m. in the Main
School Building.
Children
in Grades 1-8 enter the school through the Breezeway door. Parents
who drive their children are asked to drive into the school parking
lot and let the children exit the driver’s side. Drivers, please stay
in your cars. After the children have exited, please stay in the flow
of traffic and proceed out of the parking lot with caution. All bus
students will enter the Main Street door of the school nearest the office.
Pre-Kindergarten
and Kindergarten students go directly to the Cathedral Parish Center
(CPC) and enter the door in the rear of the CPC near the porch. Parents
of these children may park in the CPC Parking Lot or on the street.
There is “No Parking” on Library Place from Main Street to the CPC Parking
Lot. Left-side parking on Library Place is allowed from the CPC Parking
Lot and up to Linden Avenue. There is “No Parking” at all on
the right side of Library Place.
Parents
are not permitted in the classroom areas during the arrival time.
Departure
Children
who ride the buses are dismissed first. They will exit the front doors
and get directly on their bus. No other children are permitted to ride
the bus except those authorized by your township or borough. Permission
for a friend to ride a bus of another student cannot be
given by the school administration.
Children
who ride in cars will be dismissed after those who ride the buses.
Parents/guardians are to park in the parking lots and stand by your
car. No parent/guardian is to park on the street near the school.
The
students will exit through the front doors and walk around to the parking
lot. Teachers will walk them in a line to the lot and the children
will come to you. If you are parked in the lot across from the school,
your child will have to cross by the crossing guard, and walk down to
you. You may wait for them by the entrance of the parking lot and take
them to the car.
Those
students who walk home or who are picked up by their parents on Elm
Avenue are dismissed through the front doors near the Church. Students
who walk toward Library Place will cross at the crossing guard.
The
children who are being picked up on Elm Avenue will exit the front doors
and walk down Main Street on line with teachers guiding them. The teacher
will cross those children who walk home across Elm Avenue. Parents
who are waiting on the corner, please take your child/children and leave
so the teachers will be able to see if there are children who need to
wait for their parents.
Supervision
of Students
St.
Francis Cathedral School’s responsibility for supervision of students
begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The School also has
a Before-Care and After-Care Program. The Before-Care Program starts
at 7:00 a.m. and the After-Care Program begins immediately after school
and ends at 6:00 p.m. sharp.
If
a parent/guardian knows ahead of time that she/he will not be able to
pick the student up immediately after school, she/he must call the School
Office. The student will be told in advance and will wait outside the
Principal’s Office or go to the After-Care Program.
Tardiness
Students
who arrive after 7:50 a.m. are to report to the office to receive a
late slip before entering their classroom. For every two tardy slips
the students in grades 1 through 8 will serve a detention. We strongly
encourage parents to ensure that students arrive on time to school.
It is disruptive to both the student and the class when students to
arrive late.
Truancy
A
student who deliberately avoids coming to school, contrary to the wishes
of his/her parents/guardian, is considered truant. Habitual truancy
will be reported to the appropriate authority. A student who is chronically
truant will be subject to discipline.
Early
Sign Out Procedure
Early
dismissal of an individual student will be granted in extraordinary
circumstances. Parents are requested to make dental and doctor appointments
after 1:45 p.m.
No
student may leave the school building during school hours unless a parent
or some other designated authority picks her/him up at the School Office.
Occasionally a student may have to leave school before dismissal. The
procedure is as follows:
• An
Early Dismissal Form or a note from home must be sent to the
office at the beginning of the day.
• The
parent/guardian must sign out the student in the School Office.
If for some reason the parent/guardian is unable to come
to school, this must be stated in the note.
• Students
arriving 11 a.m. or after will be considered absent for a
half day.
• Students
leaving school 11 a.m. or earlier for the day will be considered
absent for
a half day.
The
only time a student may be released from school is with written permission
from a parent or guardian. In every instance of leaving early, students
are responsible for completing any missed class-work, homework or
tests.
C. Communications
Office
Hours
The
office is open before and after the regular school day. The office
hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Emergency
Closings
In
case of a severe storm when it may be necessary to cancel school sessions
or have a delayed opening, observe the following:
• Listen
for a radio announcement on AM 1450 – WCTC or FM 98.3
– WMGQ or check web sites, www.wctcam.com
or www.magic983.com.
• If
there is a delayed opening, a.m. Pre-K will be cancelled.
• Do
not call the school, convent, or rectory.
• If
you are in doubt, use your good judgment.
In
any other emergency closing pertaining only to St. Francis Cathedral
School, a class mother will telephone the announcement.
Appointments
Meetings
between teachers and parents are seen as vital to the growth and development
of students. If a difficulty should arise concerning conduct or academic
work, please contact the teacher involved before the matter is
brought to the attention of the principal. Meetings can be arranged
for after-school hours. Teacher-parent conferences are scheduled after
the first and third quarters.
Parents
who wish to meet with the Principal or Vice-Principal must contact the
office to arrange a mutually convenient meeting time. Parents who wish
to meet with a teacher or another staff member concerning his/her child
should send a note to the particular person involved.
The
faculty/staff member will contact the parent and set up a date and time
for the meeting. For the sake of good order in the school, parents
may not approach faculty or staff members during the school day without
arranging an appointment beforehand. Unless parents have an appointment
with a teacher, they are asked not to have a conference with the teacher
before school. This time is reserved for class preparation. When appointments
are made, the parents and the faculty or staff members should be aware
of the purpose of the conference so that all concerned may be appropriately
prepared.
If
it is necessary to telephone a teacher, please leave a message at the
office and the call will be returned.
Change
of Address
The
homeroom teacher and the school office must be informed of a change
of address and/or telephone number. This also pertains to emergency
numbers.
Communication
With Parents
A
school calendar is published each year. This calendar is in accord
with the guidelines of the State of New Jersey and the Diocese of Metuchen.
A calendar and H.S.A newsletter are sent home monthly.
During
the school year various flyers are also sent home in the Family Envelope
every Wednesday with the youngest or only student in the family. It
is the responsibility of the parents to remove the contents of the envelope,
sign it and see that their son/daughter returns the empty envelope to
the school the next day.
Faculty
Meetings
Faculty
meetings are held on the first Friday of each month. Dismissal is at
12:00 P.M. Parents are notified on the monthly and yearly calendar
of the dates of faculty meetings, holidays, and teacher in-service days.
Please note these days on your calendar as they require student transportation
at 12:00 p.m.
Party
Invitations/Flyers
No
invitations or flyers for personal parties are to be passed out through
school unless there is one for each class member. Class lists with names
and addresses are not given out from the school.
Money
Money
that is sent to school for a specific event or purpose should be placed
in a sealed envelope and identified with the student’s name, grade and
room, the amount enclosed and its purpose. Any amount of $5.00 or more
should be in check form made out to St. Francis Cathedral School.
No cash that is stipulated for tuition should be given to a student.
Please bring it to the School Office in person and we will provide a
receipt.
Home-School
Association
The
Home-School Association (H.S.A.) is composed of all parents/guardians
of the students of St. Francis Cathedral School. The faculty and administration
are included in the membership. The objectives of the H.S.A include:
• Promoting
the full spiritual and academic growth of each student.
• Creating
better parental awareness.
• Serving
as a vehicle of communication between faculty and parents.
• Assisting
the School administration in attaining its goals through
active parental involvement. All communication from the
H.S.A must be addressed and approved by the principal.
The
Home-School Association is designed to assist the school by fundraising.
With this financial assistance, the school is able to provide materials
necessary for instruction. It is highly recommended that all parents
make every effort to attend the H.S.A meetings and cooperate in aiding
the H.S.A both in their fundraising programs and social undertakings.
Custodial
and Non-Custodial Parents
School Records -
St. Francis Cathedral School abides by the provisions of
applicable law with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents.
In the absence of a court order to the contrary and upon request, the
school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the student’s
essential records.
Court Orders Affecting
Parents - If there is a court
order specifying the rights and responsibilities of individual parents,
it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school
with an official copy of the court order. The custodial parent may
wish to supply the principal with the “custody section” of the divorce
decree if it contains information which may be useful to the school
in fulfilling its obligations.
Pickup from School - The
school will permit only the custodial parent, or her/his designee (designated
in writing), to pick up the child during or at the end of the school
day. The non-custodial parent will not be permitted to remove the child
from school during or at the end of the school day, unless there is
written authorization from the custodial parent. In an emergency, a
clearly defined, one-time telephone authorization may be acceptable.
Visitors
EVERYONE,
parents, volunteers, visitors, is required to “sign in” at the office
and obtain a “Volunteer” or “Visitor” badge to wear during his/her stay.
No one is permitted to go to a classroom and interrupt the teaching
process for any purpose.
Telephone
Children
are not permitted to call home for forgotten homework, clothing, materials,
etc., for classes. These do not constitute emergencies. In an emergency,
school staff will place the necessary calls.
D. Health
Services
Emergency
Forms
At
the beginning of the school year in September, “Emergency Forms” are
distributed. Parents are requested to read the forms carefully and
to register the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least two
neighbors or friends that are available in the event that a child
is ill and the parent is not available. This form is very important.
Nurse
A
registered nurse is available each school day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. The nurse monitors required medical registration documents, including
immunizations, emergency information forms, and informs school personnel
of health issues regarding individual students. Documentation of a
physical examination provided by the family physician is required to
be on file in the school for all students entering grades K, 3, and
6.
Among
the regular services provided by, or through, the school nurse are vision,
hearing, and Scoliosis screening; height, weight, and blood pressure
testing.
If
a child is ill in the morning before he/she leaves home, please do not
send him/her to school. Children should be fever-free for 24 hours
before returning to school. The school nurse is available for any student
who feels ill or is injured during the school day. When a child becomes
ill or is seriously injured at school, emergency care will be given
and the parent/guardian will be notified to bring the child home. The
school is responsible only for immediate first aid. The legal responsibility
for medical care rests with the parents/guardians.
In
the event of an accident, no matter how minor, the student should report
to the nurse immediately. Where warranted, the nurse will complete
injury reports and send a copy to the parent. When a student reports
to the Nurse’s Office and the nurse is not available, the student should
then go to the School Office.
Parents/guardians
are asked to inform the nurse of any significant injuries or accidents
that involve students off school grounds. This will assist the school
in accommodating any special student needs.
Parents/guardians
are asked to notify the school nurse of any communicable disease that
their child develops, as well as any incidents of hospitalization and
any additional immunizations or boosters the child receives during the
school year. Children with any type of infectious illness must be kept
at home until the period of infection is over.
Temporary
absence from physical education classes requires a written statement
from a physician and is given to the school nurse, who will inform the
physical education teacher. When feasible, students excused from physical
education on a temporary basis will accompany their class to the area
of instruction.
Medication
St.
Francis Cathedral School strongly discourages the administration of
either prescription or non-prescription medication in school or at school-sponsored
activities. However, if it is absolutely essential that a student receive
medication while under school supervision, the following procedures
apply:
1. A
parent/guardian should come to the school and personally
administer the medication.
2.
If this arrangement is not possible, the School Nurse or the principal
(or her designee) will
administer the medication under
the following conditions:
• The
medication must be given to the School Nurse or principal
by the parent/guardian;
• The
medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled
container; and
• The parent/guardian and the
student’s physician must
complete
and sign an “Authorization to Administer
Medication
in School” form. This form is available from the
school.
Students
will be permitted to self-administer medication only for life-threatening
illnesses or conditions. The parent/guardian must schedule a conference
with the School Nurse to discuss in detail the need for the medication.
The parent/guardian and the student’s physician must complete and sign
an “Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication in School” form.
This form is available from the school.
Insurance
The
Diocesan School Insurance Policy covers all students.
Child
Abuse
New
Jersey law requires any person who has “reasonable cause to believe
that a child has been subjected to child abuse or acts
of child abuse to report the same promptly to the Division
of Youth and Family Services by telephone or otherwise.” See N.J.S.A.
9:6-9. 10 et. Seq. Failure to report suspected
child abuse is punishable as a disorderly persons offense. N.J.S.A.
9:6-8.14. Under law anyone who makes a report shall have immunity
from any civil or criminal liability that he may have otherwise incurred.
N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.13. The law imposes this obligation on every
citizen without exception.
Counseling
Services
The
school provides a full-time counselor. The counselor is available to
students, parents, faculty, and staff.
E. School
Regulations
Fire
Drills
Fire
drills will be conducted periodically as directed in the New Jersey
regulations (18:114-106).
Textbooks
All
textbooks are the property of St. Francis Cathedral School or the State
of New Jersey. They are provided for student use at great expense.
It is important to instill in the students a sense of responsibility
in regard to the property of others. All textbooks and workbooks are
to be kept clean, covered at all times, and handled carefully.
If a book is lost, mutilated, or destroyed, the parents must assume
the cost of the book.
Every
student must carry a school bag to and from school. The school bag should
provide adequate protection for the books, especially during inclement
weather.
Electronic
Devices
Cell
phones, if needed for after school, are to be turned off during the
day and kept in the book bag. Students are not permitted to
bring headphones, video or audio equipment or any electronic devices
to school unless specifically requested by a teacher for use in the
curriculum.
Lunch
and Recess Supervision
The
teachers and parent lunch volunteers, both in the dining area and on
the playground are the school authorities in charge of supervision.
Their directives to students must be obeyed. The health and safety
of our students require everyone’s cooperation.
Following
lunch, recess is provided for the students. The following safety regulations
are enforced on the playground:
• Students
must remain under the supervision of the recess proctors
and are to stay in the designated areas.
• Students
must finish their lunch, including dessert, before proceeding
outside for recess. No food or drink is permitted outside
the cafeteria.
• No
student may reenter the school building for any reason without
the permission of the proctor supervising recess.
• All
problems or injuries are to be reported to the recess proctors
on duty.
F. Student
Activities
Field
Trips
On
occasion, St. Francis Cathedral School will sponsor and conduct field
trips for the educational enrichment of the students. Participation
in field trips is a privilege not a right of students. Poor conduct
may warrant a student being denied the privilege of going on a field
trip. In such cases the student will report to school as usual and
remain in supervised classes for the day. No student may participate
in a field trip unless a signed parent/guardian permission slip for
the specific event is submitted to the school. The school provides
the permission slip. All trips require a notarized signature.
School uniforms are worn unless otherwise notified.
Where
medical reasons warrant, the teacher may request the child’s parent/guardian
to attend. If a child requires medication during a field trip, parents
must discuss this with the school nurse prior to the trip so that arrangements
can be made.
Student
Council
The
Student Council sponsors charitable activities, services to the school
community, and activities for the student body. The officers are elected
in September from a group of candidates who have indicated a willingness
to serve the student body and who present their ideas and beliefs in
a speech to grades three through eight, the grades that vote in the
primary and final elections. Students must be in eighth grade to run
for offices of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public
affairs or religious affairs. All other classrooms elect a representative/liaison.
Students
running for and holding Student Council offices must meet all academic
and disciplinary eligibility requirements. The Student Council Moderators
are faculty members.
School
Store
Supplies
such as copybooks, tablets, pens, pencils, crayons, etc., may be purchased
at the school store before 8:00 a.m. on specified days.
G. Transportation
Bus
Bus
service is available for those students who qualify in districts offering
bus transportation. Eligible students attending parochial schools are
entitled to either bus transportation or a reimbursable fee if the local
district provides bus transportation to the public school. Applicable
information and forms may be requested at the School Office or from
the various public school districts. Only students authorized to be
transported by a certain bus may ride that bus. The school cannot authorize
changes or exceptions.
Students
who deface or damage the bus in any way shall be, along with their parents/guardians,
financially responsible for restitution. Students who become serious
disciplinary problems on the school bus may have their riding privileges
suspended or revoked.
Car
For
safety and good order, drivers bringing students to school in the morning,
or picking them up at dismissal, are to respect the following regulations:
• No
Pre-K child will be dismissed until the authorized adult has
arrived at the classroom to transport the child.
• If
someone other than the authorized adult will be picking up a
student, a written notice giving permission to release the child
to that person must be submitted to the School Office prior
to dismissal.
• Drivers
who anticipate being late for student arrival or dismissal
are asked to call the School Office as soon as possible
with that information.
• Drivers
are required to follow the traffic patterns outlined in the
"Arrival/Departure" section
of this Handbook.
II. CURRICULUM
AND INSTRUCTION
A. Curriculum
Religious
Education and Religious Services
Religious
Education takes place in the home and in the school. Parents, by their
interest and example, play a vital role in the religious education of
their children.
Our
program must be concerned with initiating children into the sacramental
life and mission of the Church, explaining to them the Church’s nature,
history and teaching. We must foster in each person Christ-like love
and dedication to all. This will result in practical service to whoever
is in need.
One’s
religious development is essentially the ongoing development of a relationship
with God, a relationship which affects not only how one acts toward
God, but also how the person relates toward his/her neighbor as well
as oneself.
The
children of St. Francis Cathedral School are given every opportunity
to grow daily in the practice of this faith. Liturgy is the focal point
of our Catholic belief and children of all grades are given varied opportunities
to prepare and take an active role in a monthly liturgy. The traditional
devotions of the church such as the rosary, Advent/Lenten devotions,
May Crowning and an in-depth exposure to the history of the church are
an intricate part of the religious education given to all the children.
The
Sacramental Programs of Penance and Holy Eucharist have been structured
in such a way as to provide student and parent participation. The reception
of the sacraments is done on a parish level.
The
universality of the Church is touched upon by encouraging the children
to be mindful of the role of the Missions. Children are motivated to
make sacrifices and pray for all missionaries throughout the world.
The
non-Catholic student is welcome at St. Francis Cathedral School. The
non-Catholic student is expected to understand and agree that the school
exists to educate in the framework of Catholic values. Non-Catholic
students must participate in the religion classes and liturgical services
scheduled for students during the school year.
Family
Life Program
In
compliance with the mandate from the Metuchen Diocese, the Benziger
Family Life program is taught in Grades 1 through 8. Family Life is
a value based human sexuality program, and where it can, it will be
integrated with the other curriculum areas, such as science, religion,
and social studies.
Language
Arts
This
program consists of Literature/Reading, Writing, and Spelling/Vocabulary.
Reading – A
variety of genres is incorporated in children’s literature. Reading
encourages children to think, write and discuss others’ ideas about
literature. It offers a variety of instructional approaches that help
teachers meet the needs of all students. The emphasis is on developing
higher level thinking skills so students will become more critical and
analytic readers. The program provides both holistic and objective
based tests.
Writing – A
variety of writing assignments is provided in order to motivate and
guide the children. The writing is incorporated as a cross-disciplinary
approach. The emphasis is to learn to develop higher-level writing
skills that focus on grammar, punctuation, proper sentence structure
and vocabulary.
Spelling/Vocabulary
– A variety of exercises is completed in order
to encourage the children to spell words correctly and completely understand
their meanings. There is frequent review and assessment in both the
student text and supplemental materials. Students learn the correct
pronunciation and expand their vocabulary.
Mathematics
This
program recognizes that every child must have an understanding of the
four fundamental operations as they are applied to whole numbers, fractions,
decimals, and variables. Along with computation skills, critical thinking
is an essential part of the successful mastery in math.
Science
The
framework of the science curriculum includes topics equally distributed
in the areas of life, earth and physical science. Other disciplines
such as language arts, math, and social studies are integrated into
the science experience.
Skills
stressed within the science program include observing, classifying,
inferring, and predicting. These skills are developed through hands-on
experimentation, cooperative group work, teacher demonstration and paper/pencil
activities.
Social
Studies
The
study of history traces the story of humankind for an understanding
of the influences that have contributed to its development. Early levels
focus on pupils themselves and expand its realm to include families,
communities, regions of the earth, our country and the world.
The
awareness of good citizenship, honor, and responsibility is immersed
in the social studies curriculum, as the study of history, civics, geography,
and current events allows for proficiency in analyzing, interpreting,
inquiry, and problem solving.
Art
Art
classes are intended to stimulate creativity among all students. The
type of projects varies with each grade and uses various media. The
students’ projects are displayed throughout the school.
Music
The
classroom music program consists of theory, appreciation, and vocal
music. An instrumental music program is available for any student from
Grade 1 through 8 by the Partesi Instrumental Music Company. This is
over and above the school tuition. Concerts are presented at the end
of the year.
Physical
Education
Physical
Education in the elementary school is the vehicle through which a child
learns to move and moves to learn. Broad movement experiences, games
of low organization, rhythms, and manipulative activities develop body
competency and management for the primary grades
Specialized
sport skills, concepts, positioning and organized play make up the bulk
of the intermediate and upper elementary grades program, along with
the Presidential Physical Fitness and the National Fitness programs.
Technology
The
purpose of school-provided technology, including Internet access and
electronic mail, is to facilitate legitimate educational endeavors.
Such resources are used to enrich and enhance the learning experience
and environment for students. Use of these resources must always be
in conformity with law and the religious mission of St. Francis Cathedral
School. No student is permitted to use technology to access or send
inappropriate information or materials.
An
agreement of usage form, signed by the student, parent/guardian, and
collected by the homeroom teacher, is required before any student is
provided with Internet access privileges.
Acceptable Use of Technology Policy
Preamble:
The purpose of school-provided
technology is to facilitate legitimate school endeavors, which are educational
and administrative in nature. The use of technology must always be
in conformity with the law and the religious mission of the Diocese
of Metuchen. Each school as an educational institution will have the
resources to exchange information within its facility and with other
institutions throughout the world.
The
use of technology is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use
will result in a suspension or complete cancellation of the user’s privileges.
The administration has the right to monitor all communications on
the school network.
Acceptable
Use Guidelines
Equipment:
• The
user will recognize the value of the hardware, software, and
all computer-related materials and will not misuse or abuse
any of these items.
• Personal
diskettes or CDs cannot be used without the approval
or direct supervision of the system supervisor. These
should be checked for viruses with a current version of a
recognized virus-scanning program before use in the school.
• No
users will alter, install, modify, upgrade, repair or remove any
school hardware, including but not limited to computers, interface
cards, monitors, printers, scanners, modems, wiring or
cabling, mouse or other accessories.
• Users
who damage any hardware or software will be responsible
for replacing the damaged articles at their own expense.
• Users
are required to purchase from the school one pair of personal
headphones ($5.00) for use with school computers. These
headphones are labeled and stored in the school. Upon
leaving St. Francis Cathedral School, either by graduation
or transfer, the headphones are given to the user.
Software:
• Commercial
software is copyrighted and each user must abide by
the licensing agreement published with the software.
• In
keeping with the school’s motto and Christian values the user
will not violate any copyright laws regarding print, electronic
or visual information.
• The
user will not read, change, create, delete, copy or modify any
parts of the resident software or the operating system.
The
School Internet Access:
• The
user may utilize the network and Internet resources for educational
or administrative purposes only. Commercial uses
are strictly prohibited.
• The
user will not upload, download, or bring into the school material
deemed inappropriate. This would include but not be
limited to any material that contains profanity, vulgarity, obscene,
or violent content. Materials that are racist, abusive,
degrading, and demonic or promote intolerance, prejudice,
harassment, or insult any individual, ethnic, or religious
group are unacceptable.
• Transmission
of material, information or software in violation of
any church, school, local, state or federal law is prohibited.
• The
user will not meet in person any individual whom he/she made
contact with through the school technological resources.
Meetings with resource people contacted through the
Internet will be arranged only with the approval of the school
administration.
• A
usage agreement form signed by the student, parent/guardian
and the teacher is required before any student
is provided with Internet access privileges.
E-Mail:
• E-mail
is intended for educational use.
• The
user will not reveal addresses, phone numbers, photographs,
or other personal information of himself/herself or
others.
• Any
email issued from St. Francis Cathedral School will be sent/received
using an assigned school email address rather than
any personal email account/information.
• The
user will not access his/her private email accounts through
the use of the school network.
• The
user will report any message received through technological
resources which makes him/her nervous or uncomfortable.
Miscellaneous:
• The
user will work in a quiet, respectful manner, which is not disturbing
or distracting to others.
• The
user will not disclose personal passwords or access codes assigned
to him/her or any other user.
• The
user will not attempt to access files, personal passwords or
access codes created by or assigned to any other user.
• In
addition to not accessing the files of another user, it is prohibited
to use the name or screen name of another. Further,
no aliases or handles are allowed when saving files or
program activity.
• The
user will not interact with any computer equipment other than
that which was assigned to the user unless given permission
to do so by the instructor.
• The
user will not attempt to defeat security measures instituted
by the school.
• Unauthorized
access to computers after designated hours or from
locations other than those approved for specific computer
assignments is prohibited.
• The
user will not use school technological resources to support
candidates for public or elected office.
• The
user will exercise due diligence and is bound not to disclose
or use any confidential or personal information acquired
as a result of using the school’s technological resources.
• The
school makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed
or implied, for the use of technology. It will not be responsible
for any damages suffered, such as loss of data resulting
from delays, non-deliveries or service interruptions caused
by its own negligence or the user’s errors or omissions.
• The
school specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy
or quality of information obtained through its technological
resources.
B. Student
Performance Assessments
Explanation
of Grades
Report
cards include an interpretation of grading symbols. Parents/guardians
and students should understand these interpretations and discuss them
with the teacher(s) when warranted. Parents should know how specific
grades were arrived at by the teacher, including the overall percentage
weight of such activities as testing, class participation, homework,
projects, etc. These will differ by subject, teacher, and student age
levels. To discuss student achievement and proficiency effectively,
a clear understanding of what the numeric or letter symbol means is
important.
Grading
Scale
Key to Grades for
Kindergarten
|
Key to Grades for
Grades 1 and 2
|
|
C
S
√
N/A
|
Consistently
Observed
Sometimes Observed
Practice and
Support Needed
Not during this
marking period
|
O
VG
G
S
N
U
√
+
|
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Unsatisfactory
Practice and
Support Needed
Indicates Exemplary
Performance
|
|
|
|
|
Key to Grades for
Major Subjects
Grades
3-8
|
Key to Grades for
Ancillary Subjects
Grades
3-8
|
|
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
√
+
|
97 – 100
93 - 96
89 - 92
85 - 88
80 - 84
75 – 79
70 – 74
69 and Below
Indicates an
area in need of improvement
Indicates exemplary
performance
|
O
G
S
I
N
U
NA
√
+
|
Outstanding
Good
Satisfactory
Improvement Shown
Needs Improvement
Unsatisfactory
Not Applicable
Indicates an
area in need of improvement
Indicates exemplary performance
|
|
|
|
|
Key to Grades Given for
Behavior in Ancillary Subjects
All
Grades
|
NOTE:
|
|
A
-Applies skills and concepts
P -Participates
in activities
B
-Behaves appropriately
|
A “+”
in any area indicates exceptional behavior
A “ √ in
any area indicates a need for improvement
|
Incomplete
Grades
A
student will temporarily receive an “incomplete” grade for course requirements
that have not been completed either because of extended illness or for
some other legitimate reason that has been approved by the teacher in
consultation with the principal. If the incomplete work is not made
up in the time specified by the teacher, the “incomplete” is translated
into a grade that gives no credit for the missing work.
Testing
The
Metropolitan Readiness Test is administered to kindergarten students
in late May or early June. The Diocesan Standardized Testing Program,
the TerraNova, is administered to students in grades 1 through 8 in
the spring.
C. Progress
Reporting
Progress
Reports
Progress
reports for each student (Grades K-8) are sent home to parents/guardians
midway through the first, second, third, and fourth Marking Periods.
These interim reports communicate to parents the child’s current level
of performance, social adjustment, and any other information the teacher
judges important. Parents should carefully review the report and discuss
it with the child. It is suggested and encouraged that parents receiving
reports of weak academic progress, or unacceptable behaviors, contact
the teacher(s) immediately.
Occasionally,
an acceptable academic performance for the beginning part of a Marking
Period is followed by poor performance for the latter. Under these
circumstances a student may fail a subject for a Marking Period even
though a progress report indicated satisfactory performance at the midpoint.
Report
Cards and Parent/Teacher Conferences
Report
cards are issued four times as indicated on the Diocesan School Calendar.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled after the first marking period
in order for dialogue concerning the child’s progress to take place.
Parents or teachers may request conferences thereafter. It is only when
both teacher and parent work together for the overall good of
the child that the student will benefit in a positive manner.
Honor
Rolls
Students
in grades five through eight may be on the Honor Roll. First Honors
consist of students who receive A+ or A’s in every major subject for
the marking period. (Religion, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies,
and Science). Satisfactory grades in all other subjects are also required.
Second
Honors consists of students who receive A’s and B’s in every major subject
for the marking period. Satisfactory grades in all other subjects are
also required.
Students
who receive two detentions during a marking period will receive check
marks in the Personal and Social Growth portion of the report card.
Students with marks in this section will not be eligible for either
Honor.
Promotion/Retention
In
Grades K-8 promotion will be primarily on the basis of ability to do
the work with consideration of maturity and social development. Eighth
grade graduation is dependent upon a student’s successful completion
of the requirements of study prescribed by St. Francis Cathedral School,
the Diocese of Metuchen, and the State of New Jersey, Department of
Education.
Retention
of students in Grades 4-8 is considered when a student fails two or
more major subjects (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Religion)
for the year. Retention of students in Grades 1-3 is dependent upon
achievement in Language Arts and Math.
Consultation
about retention among teachers, administration, and parents should take
place as early as possible during the first semester. Follow-up teacher/parent
conferences to evaluate academic progress of the student should be held
throughout the year.
Class
Placement
Class
assignments will be determined by the teachers and administration.
Parental requests will not be guaranteed due to consideration of the
overall make-up of the class.
D. Homework
Policy
Homework
Assignments
are given in order to insure assimilation of the subject matter taught
in class and to provide reinforcement. It is imperative that each student
possesses a homework assignment pad in which he/she enters the assignment
and the date on which it is due.
Parents/guardians
are asked to provide a quiet place free from distraction and are expected
to supervise and check studies. All tests are to be signed by a parent/guardian
and returned to the school the next day.
Normally
homework is given everyday. Weekend and holiday assignments are given
at the discretion of the teacher. Long-range projects may extend over
the weekend or a holiday. It is important that your child develop the
habit of doing his/her homework carefully and completing it on time.
Students are not permitted to return to the classrooms after dismissal
to retrieve forgotten books or materials.
Homework
Time Schedule
Grades 1 – 2
Approximately 30 minutes
Grades 3 – 4
Approximately 45 minutes
Grades 5 – 6
Approximately 80 minutes
Grades 7 – 8
Approximately 120 minutes
Incomplete
Homework
A
student who has been absent is required to acquire and complete all
assignments. Students shall have the opportunity to make up tests when
they return to school. School policy allows a period of time equal
to the number of absent days to submit due homework (A student absent
two school days would have two school days to submit due assignments.)
Parents may wish to pick up homework assignments at the end of the day
a student is absent. This may be requested through the school office.
Teachers will send assignments and materials to the school office to
be picked up at dismissal. Please do not request assignments earlier
than dismissal time.
Incomplete
or missing homework will limit student achievement and negatively affect
grades. Teachers and parents need to communicate quickly if assignments
are not being completed in a timely way.
Home
Instruction
If
a student is to be absent for an extended time (two or more weeks) due
to illness or hospitalization, the parent/guardian should contact the
School for information about home instruction. This may be provided
by the Middlesex County Education Commission.
E. Student
Records
Access/Viewing
A
parent/guardian has the right to view his/her child’s a) academic record,
b) academic standardized test results, c) health records and d) emergency
sheet (emergency phone numbers, etc.). These records can be made available
upon request, but they do not leave the building. Please call the office
in advance.
Transfers
Parents
are requested to notify the School Office in advance of a request to
transfer. A transfer form will be completed and signed by the principal.
The parents submit this form to the new school. The new school will
then request the student’s transcripts from St. Francis Cathedral School.
If the transfer is due to a change of residence, the new address must
be provided. The last date the child will be in attendance at St. Francis
Cathedral School is also required.
Transcripts
Transcripts
of academic and health records may not be given directly to the parent/guardian
in the event of a transfer. A request for transfer must be submitted
in written form by a parent/guardian. Transcripts will be sent directly
from school to school when the sending school receives an official written
request from the receiving school. If the parent/guardian does not
submit a request for transfer that includes an authorization to send
a transcript, the receiving school must secure permission from the parent/guardian
to request the transcripts from the “sending” school. Re-admittance
to the school is left to the discretion of the principal.
High
school applications, including letters of recommendation, processed
by St. Francis Cathedral School, will be sent directly to the high school(s)
requested. Students and parents should take note of this prior to requesting
information and be sure all parts of the application, including relevant
signatures, are completed.
Government
Records
Records
attached to publicly funded services provided through the local Board
of Education such as Child Study Team Reviews, Compensatory Education,
Speech, English as a Second Language, etc., are the property of the
Board. A parent/guardian who wishes to examine these records or procure
additional copies for his/her own use must apply to the Board. The
School is not permitted to distribute this information to anyone, not
even to a parent/guardian.
III. DISCIPLINE
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A.
Discipline
A
spirit of Christ-like charity, respect for authority and mutual cooperation
are essential elements of the learning environment at St. Francis Cathedral
School. All teachers, students, staff, and all adults who are in a
supervisory capacity are to be treated with respect and courtesy. Students
must take seriously their obligation to develop lifetime habits of self-control
and concern for the well being of others.
A
student who chooses to disrupt the good order of the school or to violate
a policy or regulation will have to accept the consequences of those
irresponsible choices. Appropriate discipline is at the discretion
of the Teacher/Principal. Accountability for uncooperative, disruptive
or unsafe behavior may take any of the following forms: conduct referrals
or warnings; assignments; denial of privileges; detention; in-school
suspension; out-of-school suspension; or expulsion.
The
safety of everyone is a predominant concern to all at St. Francis Cathedral
School. That being true, all threats of violence will be taken seriously.
Appropriate remedies will be applied to all offenses.
Actions
that violate the law, threaten or cause harm to other students or staff
members, disrupt or impede the welfare and progress of the school community,
or bring discredit to the school will not be tolerated. Such actions
and other severe violations of the school rules may result in immediate
expulsion. Parental conferences, counseling, consultation and corrective
action plans will be viewed as positive Home-School efforts to help
the student improve behavior. If these cooperative efforts of parents
and school staff prove ineffective, the student will be subject to expulsion
or may be denied re-admittance to the school. At the same time, all
students – even those who threaten or do violence – must be treated
with dignity.
In
all cases of vandalism, students and parents shall be responsible for
all damage. This responsibility applies to the matter of books and
supplies, as well as equipment, buildings, and grounds.
St.
Francis Cathedral School has a Code of Conduct in grades 1 through 8
in order to encourage good conduct and to communicate with parents.
(See Section C, below, for Code of Conduct.)
B.
Policy on Bullying
The
mission of St. Francis Cathedral School is to help students to understand
the Catholic faith, live this faith and to extend this faith to others
in love. We recognize that all members of our school community have
a right to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to provide an
environment in which moral values are taught which help in forming Christ
like character.
St.
Francis expects its students to conduct themselves in a manner that
reflects our
school motto, respect, justice and responsibility,
at all times. We reserve the right to review cases of off-campus student
behavior that is detrimental to the reputation of the school.
Bullying
is not acceptable behavior at St. Francis Cathedral School, en route
to and from school, or at school sponsored events. Bullying is defined
as the intimidation of others by the real or threatened inflection of
written, verbal, physical or electronically transmitted acts, emotional
abuse, or through attacks on the property of another.
We
expect that students’ behaviors should reflect the child’s age, level
of development, and maturity. Consequences will take into consideration
these factors. Consequences for students who have committed acts of
bullying may range from behavioral interventions up to and including
suspensions or expulsion.
The
principal, vice principal and teachers are responsible for receiving
reports of acts of bullying. Acts of bullying can be reported to any
school employee who will in turn report the act. The principal or designee
will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of the alleged incident
of bullying. In doing so, the principal or designee will determine
if the incident violates the school code of conduct. Consequences and
appropriate remedial actions for students who commit an act of bullying
include positive behavioral interventions, removal from a classroom,
meeting with parents, after school detention, to suspension or expulsion.
C.
Substance Abuse
St.
Francis Cathedral School recognizes that the misuse of drugs, tobacco,
steroids and alcohol has a deleterious effect on students and staff
and jeopardizes the welfare of the entire school community. The school
is committed to the prevention of drug, tobacco, steroid and alcohol
abuse through educational means and other appropriate programs. The
school will take necessary and firm action to protect the school community
from harm and from exposure to the negative aspects of drug, tobacco,
steroid and alcohol use/abuse. The school prohibits the use, possession
and/or distribution of drugs, tobacco, steroids, or alcohol on school
premises, at any event away from the school that is sponsored by St.
Francis Cathedral School and on any transportation vehicle provided
by the school. A student who is suspected to be under the influence
of or in possession of drugs, steroids, alcohol or tobacco will be reported
immediately to the principal. Parents will be contacted immediately.
When deemed necessary, students will be suspended and will not be permitted
to return to school without the written statement of an examining physician.
D.
Code of Conduct
The
function of our school is to help children learn. It is not to punish.
However, when regulations are not observed, self -control is not practiced,
or Christian behavior to others is not shown, consequences must follow.
St.
Francis Cathedral School will be working on a system of conduct points.
Any staff member witnessing offending behavior will give student conduct
points. Any or all of these may be adjusted at the discretion of the
principal and/or vice-principal. The list is not all-inclusive. Individual
teachers publicize their classroom expectations at the beginning of
each year.
• Weapons
or any devices that may be used to injure or harm
6 conduct points
• Fighting
or hands-on "horseplay" (pushing, shoving, etc.)
6 conduct points
• Substance
abuse
6 conduct points
• Stealing
6 conduct points
• Abuse
to school property
4 conduct points
• Misbehavior
during a fire drill (talking, physical contact)
4 conduct points
• Obscene
language or gestures (written or spoken)
3 conduct points
• Cheating
on tests or assignments
3 conduct points
• Cafeteria
or classroom misbehavior
2 conduct points
• Insolence
2 conduct points
• Failure
to complete or hand in homework on time
1 conduct point/ 2 points in Middle School
• Uniform
Code violations
1 conduct point
• Gum
or candy on school property
1 conduct point
• Failure
to return signed conduct point slip
1 conduct point
When
a teacher finds that a simple reminder is not adequate, conduct points
will be issued. Students receiving 4 or more conduct points will serve
detention after school from 2:30-3:15 p.m. Detentions will be held
every Thursday and they are NOT optional. Parents are responsible to
provide transportation home unless the student is registered in the
After School Care Program.
If
a student accumulates 2 detentions in anyone quarter, a letter will
be sent home to the parent(s) resulting in the parent and student being
scheduled for a conference with the teacher. The student will also
receive a check mark in the Personal and Social Growth portion of the
report card. Students receiving check marks in this section of the
report card are ineligible for honor roll. An
excessive accumulation of detentions will lead to a discussion as to
whether or not the student will remain at St. Francis Cathedral School.
Parents
will be required to sign all conduct point slips, acknowledging that
they are aware of their existence.
Uniform
Dress Code
The
following will be considered violations of the uniform dress code:
• For
all: incorrect blouses, shirts, sweaters, gym uniforms, pants, socks
or shoes;
• For
girls: make-up or nail polish (except clear), jewelry of any kind
(exceptions: if the child can tell time, one watch; for girls: one
set of small post earrings);
• For
boys: no uniform tie, earrings, a nontraditional male haircut.
Temporary
and permanent tattoos are not allowed. Skirts are to be worn no shorter
than two inches above the knee. Shirts and blouses are to be tucked
in neatly. Hairstyles should be neat and age-appropriate.
IV.
ATTIRE
Students
attending St. Francis Cathedral School are required to wear a prescribed
school uniform. The only company from which school uniform apparel
may be purchased is Flynn & O’Hara. Uniforms can be ordered online
at www.flynnohara.com,
at their store, 1612 Rt. 36 & Union Avenue, Hazlet, NJ (732-888-3885)
or by phone 1-800-441-4122. Articles of clothing purchased elsewhere
are not acceptable. Substitutions are not permitted.
Winter
Uniform
Girls:
Grades K to 4
• Plaid
Jumper or gray pants
• White
peter pan blouse or white turtleneck with school insignia
• Red
knee socks or red leotards with jumper
• Red
or white socks with pants
• Red
uniform sweater with school insignia
• Black
or brown sensible shoes with rubber soles and heels (heel
no higher than 1 1/2 “). We strongly recommend Oxford tie
shoes.
Girls:
Grades 5 to 8
• School
plaid wrap around skirt
• White
button collar blouse or white turtleneck with school insignia
• Red
knee socks or red leotards with plaid wrap around skirt
• Red
or white socks with pants
• Red
uniform sweater
• Black
or brown sensible shoes with rubber soles and heels (heel
no higher than 1 ½”)
No
make-up is permitted and only clear nail polish is allowed. Small earrings
(one set), appropriate medals and chains and/or a watch are the
only jewelry permitted. Hoop earrings are not permitted. No additional
accessories are to be worn.
Boys:
All Grades
• White
turtleneck with school insignia or
• White
oxford dress shirt (short sleeve or long sleeve) with school
plaid tie
• Gray
sweater vest or gray sweater with school insignia
• Gray
uniform dress pants
• Belt
(black, brown, or gray)
• Socks
(white, Gary, or
black)
• Black
or brown sensible shoes with rubber soles and heels (heel
no higher than 1 ½”)
No earrings. Appropriate
medals and chains and/or a watch are the only jewelry permitted. Hair
should be neatly combed and styled in a traditional boys cut. Fad
haircuts are not permitted.
Summer
Uniform
From
the start of school through November 30th and on or about March 31st
through June the students have the option of wearing the summer uniform:
Girls
and Boys: All grades
• Navy
uniform walking shorts or skorts
• White
golf shirt with school insignia
• Belt
(black, navy, or brown) with shorts
• White
crew socks (socks must be visible at least 1” above sneakers)
• Black
or white sneakers (only with the navy uniform walking shorts or skorts)
Girls:
Grades 5-8
• White
golf shirt with school insignia
• School
plaid wrap around skirt
• White
crew socks (must be visible at least 1” above shoes or sneakers)
• Black
or brown sensible shoes with rubber soles and heels (heel
no higher than 1 ½”)
Boys:
All grades
• Gray
uniform dress pants
• White
golf shirt with school insignia
• Belt
(black, brown or gray)
• White,
gray or black socks (Socks must be visible at least 1” above
shoes or sneakers)
• Black
or brown sensible shoes with rubber soles and heels (heel
no higher than 1 ½”)
All
students are expected to be neat, clean, and well groomed. Repeated
uniform violations will result in detention.
Gym
Uniform
Gym
uniforms are to be worn to school on gym days by all students in grades
K through 8. These uniforms are to be ordered and purchased from Flynn
& O’Hara. (Uniforms can be ordered online at www.flynnohara.com,
at their store, 1612 Rt. 36 & Union Avenue, Hazlet, NJ (732-888-3885)
or by phone 1-800-441-4122.)
Winter Uniform:
All students
• White
or black sneakers
• White
crew socks (Socks must be visible at least 1” above
sneakers)
• Gray
sweatpants
• Red
sweatshirt with school insignia
• Red
tee shirts with school insignia
Summer Uniform:
All students
• White
or black sneakers
• White
crew socks (Socks must be visible at least 1” above
sneakers)
• Gray
sweat shorts
• Red
tee shirt with school insignia
Any
student not in proper gym uniform will not be permitted to take gym.
Scout
Uniforms
Students
may wear scout uniforms on the day of their scout meeting except if
it is a gym day.
Dress
Down
Dress
down days are sponsored by the school in order to support important
school projects, functions, or charities. Regulations for dress down
days are listed below. Rules specific to a particular dress down day
(for example, school colors) will be communicated to the parents and
students beforehand.
The guidelines below
pertain to all dress down days.
The
following items are not permitted:
• Any
article inconsistent with our Catholic philosophy of education
and values
• Any
article which is excessively worn or soiled
•
Any article which displays indecent or inappropriate writing or illustrations
• Clothing
which does not cover the body appropriately (Ex. tank tops,
spaghetti straps, short tops, low cut bottoms)
• Any
item excessively tight fitting
• Any
item that may cause a safety risk to the student or his/her classmates
• No
shoes or footwear worn without stockings or socks
• Hats,
caps or headgear
• Makeup,
jewelry, or additional articles that would not be permitted
on a regular uniform day.
The
administration reserves the right to make the final decisions regarding
the appropriateness and acceptability of student dress in school.
V. MISCELLANEOUS
Asbestos
Management Plan
The
School’s Asbestos Management Plan is on file in the School Office, as
required by the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
This document is available for examination upon request.
Publication
of Student Names/Pictures
In
an effort to publicize our school activities, photographs are frequently
taken of our students. These photographs are sent to local newspapers.
We like to include names of students pictured in our press releases.
A release form must be signed by parent/guardian.
Web
site Release
Photographs
of students participating in school events and activities will be periodically
posted on our school web site (www.stfranciscathedralschool.org).
No names or addresses will be included with the photographs. A website
release form must be signed by parent/guardian.
Amendments
to Handbook
This
Handbook is subject to change at any time when determined to be necessary
by the school administration. If changes are made to the Handbook,
parents/guardians will be notified promptly.
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